Method and apparatus for making shoulder pads



A. FREYnBr-:RG Emi.

March '25,l 1941.

IETHOD ANB APPARATUSFOR MAKING SHOULDER PAS' 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledOct.' 20, 19157 (Iltorneg A. FREYDBERG Erm. y 2.236.472

G SHOULDER PQDS 12 Sheets-Sheet 2k March 25, 1941.

METHOD AND `APPARATUSY FOR .IAKIYN Filed Oct. 20, 1937 ATTORNEY March25, 1941. A. FRx-:YnBr-:RG Erm. 2236,472

PERTUS FOR IAKING SHOULDER YADS umuon 1m 12 sheets-sheet s Filed Oct20., 1937 March 25, 1941.

IETBOD AND APPARATUS FOR IAKING f A. FREYDBERG l|= r A; 2.236.472

SHULDER PADS :F'le'd mit. 20. 1937 .12 Sheets-Sheet 4 nventors Gttorneg12 ShQetIs-Sheot 5.

A. FREYDBERG :rn

Filed oct. 2o, 1957.

IETHOD AND APPARATUS FiOR IIAKING SHOULDER PADS Manns', 1941..

A. Fak-.YDE11-:RG 11T A1.

AND APPARATUS FOR IIAKING SHOULDER ADS March `25, 1941;

METHOD Filed oct.I 2o, 1937 12 sheets-sheet 7 Inventors March 25, 1941.A. FREYD'Bl-:RG rs1-AL 2 .236.472

IETHQD ANS APPARATUS FOR IKING SHOULQE ,AIDS

Filed oct. 20, 19s? 1-2 Sheng-Sheet a (Ittorneg March y25, 1941.

- A. FREYDBERG :ma

IETHODAND APPARATUS `FDR IIAKING SHQULDER PADS l2 Sheets-Sheet@ Filed0,012.' 20, 1957 March 25, 1941.

A. FREYDBERG Erm.

\IETHOD ANB AFPARATUS FOR MAKING SHOULDER PADS l'ilacl' Oct.r 20, 1.957`12 Sheets-Sheet 10 ATTORN EV 'an mas 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 March 25, 1941.A. FREYUBERG er.

IETBOD'ANB APAPARATUS FOR IAYKING' SHOULD Filed. Oct. 20, 1937 jv. lwrrToRNEy March 25, 1941. A. FRE'YDBERG Em. 2.236.412

'lNvENToRs ,Z750/Vfl? y ,dans

Patented Mar. 25, 1.941

l Y Y i* METHOD AND APPARATUS FOB MAKING t SHOULDER PADS l, Y AaronFreydberg, Mount Vernon. and William H.

Hawkins, Brooklyn,

N. Y., assignors to Freydberg Bros., Inc., Stamford, Conn., acol'POl'ation of New York Application october zo, i937. serial No.'110,008 i zo clams. (ci. 15s-z) This invention is a continuation-inpartof application Serialv No. 66,208, filed February 28,1`

Tomeet the requirements and give the best resuits in use, shoulder padsof the class described should be relatively thick at the central zonealong one edge and should taper on gradually and `uniformly toward-theother or outer edges,

which latter should be relatively thin.

Prior to' this invention, one ofl the common procedures for makingshoulder pads involved dieing out disks or layers of cotton battingfromv usually a web consisting of carded fibers. If the disk were ofthenecessary thickness for the pad,

it was then subjected to a skiving operation, whereby the disk was maderelatively'thick at the central zone along one edge, tapering ongradually toward its other orouter edges. If

the died disk were of av thickness insuiilcient to produce the desiredthickness in the nished pad,

several of the disks were superposed prior to the skiving operation. Inmanyinstances these pads were secured by lines of stitching to provide apad of proper shape. These pads were relatively costly to manufacture:because the different sized disks or layers had to be-died outof sheetsof batting before they were assembled by sewing or otherwiseattached,'thus requiring a consider- '35 ablel investment in dies. Inaddition, the labor cost inthe die-cutting operation as well as theoperation of assembling thejcut disksor layers was considerablesMoreover, the iinishedp'ads were not satisfactory because, owing to thesuper- 40 posed disk or layer arrangement, the upper surface of thev paddid not always present a continuousa` smoothA surface from its zone-ofgreatest thickness toward its outer and thinner edges. 'It is,therefore, an object of thisinvention to provide shoulder ,pads whichare-properly and uniformly shaped and constructed to meet therequirements of the most exacting tailor.

Another object is to vprovide an apparatus for and methodof constructingor preparing, at 'a 50` relatively lowcost and without the employment yI of extensive cutting' 'dies with their attendant' labor complications,shoulder pads which are properly and: uniformly shaped and constructedto meet the'requirement ofthe most exacting tailors.- A 1- Anotherpurpose is to provide a machine which is sufficiently flexible inoperation to` permit blanks to be made therein in various sizes, shapesand contours, as may be required in the trade. x

Another purpose is to rprovide a machine for, making preformed shoulderpads.

Various other objects and advantages will be f apparent as thenature ofthe invention is more fully disclosed.' f' v Y According to the presentinvention, we build 1 upa shoulder pad of predetermined shape and sizefrom individual cotton or wool bers whichr are showered underv airpressure or suction upon a foraminous support, such as a wire screen, sothat the separate fibers will become interconnected, matted or feltedwith one another to provide aninterconnected, matted or vfelted masswherein the fibers in the central zone of the blank are more numerousand more densely compacted v than those at the edge of the blank. Thedensity 20 of the blank thus formed gradually decreases out- `ivardly,the upper surface being rounded or convex and tapering off smoothly anduniformly in all directions from its center toward its outer edges. Theblank, after it has been formed as 2 described, is then preferablycompressed, as by passing it .between a pair of rollers, at least-onebeing composed of rubber or .other soft material, whereby the entrappedairis removed and the blank is brought to more nearly the properythickness and compactness. "Since at least onerolier is soft'randyieldable, thegeneral shape in cross-section of the blank yWill not bealtered during the compressing operation. 'I'he bers of the blank willbe materially 'compressed or com- 35 readilyI handled and used formaking shoulder 40 pads therefrom. It is preferably made of a size,Vtovform two shoulder pads, in which caseit may Y be severed along theproper axis to form the two completed pads;

, In some instances a facingvof'suitablefabric, 5 such as muslin, maybeapplied to one or both .surfaces ofthe blank-and may besecured bystitching to further strengthen .thev blank and hold the component partstogether. ,v

In other instances the blank may be coated on 450 one or both,Y sideswith a liquid coating' material, such as starch, a gum solution orlother binding material. In order ,to further compress the blank andset'vthe nbers aswell as the coatings, -the blank may then be baked in"an aruiropriately 55 shaped heated mold, the confronting faces offabric facing may also be applied before or after coating with theliquid coating material if a furtherfcovering is desired.

` In another embodiment of the inventionV the snmuder pad blank is bunt.up by mowenng individual hbers under air pressure or suction, aspreviously described, upon a backing material, such as muslin or otherfabric, positioned upon the 'foraminous support, thus producing in situa shoulder pad blank having a backing or facing on one surface thereof.When this embodiment is used, the surface of the blank opposite thathaving the backing or facing is preferablyv coated with an appropriatecomposition which will set. preferably upon heating and pressing, toform a relatively thin skin thereover.

If desired, in either of the procedures of building up the blankpreviously mentioned, the fibers during the showering thereof maybe'sprayed with a liquid composition, such as a starch solution, a gumsolution, a. sodium silicate solution or the like. whereby a strongerproduct is ob- I tained, Due to the components of the solution and/orthe quantity thereof applied to the iibers,

- the flexibility and other-desirable properties of .the blank are notimpaired. This procedure is' admirably suitable for that embodiment ofthe invention which showers the vfibers on to a backing, since it causesthe nbers to' adhere thereto.

Although the novel features which are characteristic of this inventionwill be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, thebroader aspects ofthe invention grill be better understood from thefollowing description, takenwin connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which a preferred embodimentis set forth for purposes ofillustration.

Referring' now to .thedrawingsz Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view'illustrating one process for producing shoulder pad blanks in accordancewith the principles of this inven- Figure 2 1s a similar view iuusmtmg amediilcation of the process wherein both surfaces vof l1 1 or Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a vertical section taken on lines l-l of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a front elevation of the mechanism forr removing the blanksfrom the form.

Figure 10 is a detail view of the driving mechanism for the turret.

Figure 11 is a section taken on the une of Figure l0.

taken on lines 4-4 of assura Figure 12 is a detail view of the drivingmechanism for the feed rolls and conveyor apron.

`Figure 13 isla vertical section of one form of the baking mechanism.

Figure 14 is a broken plan view of the baking mechanism of-Flgure 13.

Figure l5 is a perspective view of a modiiled form of baking mold.

Figure 16 isa section of the baking mold shown `in Figure l5 in thebaking machine.

Figure 17 is Aa. section taken on line Il-II of Figure 16. Y

Figure l8'is a perspective view of a pad made in accordance with theprinciples of this invention when the baking mold illustrated in Figure13 is utilised.

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a pad made vin'accordanc'e with theprinciples of this invenment of the inventionwhich contemplates spray-`ing the ilbers during the showering thereof.

Figure 22 is a plan view partly in. section of another type of formwhich can be used.

Figure 23 is a section taken on lines 23-23 of Figure 22. I

maure 24 is a section of a blank formed n me apparatus illustrated inFigure 20.

Figure 25 is a side elevation of a baking mecha- Vnism of Figure 24.

Figure 26 is a section taken on lines of Figure 25. -v

Figure 2'1 is a vertical section of the'baking molds or forms.

Figure 28 is a perspective view of a shoulder pad blank produced by theapparatus shown in Figure 24.

Figure 29 is a section taken on lines II-II of Fiagiure 28 andillustrates the nnished shoulder D In the following description and inthe claims certain speciilc terms h'ave been used for convenienceinreferringto the various details of the invention. It is to beunderstood, however, that these terms are to be given as broad aninterpretation as the state of the art will permit.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,

' Figure 1 illustrates a mechanism for carrying on the complete processfor making shoulder-pad blanks. In this ligure, the numeral i indicatesa machine for making the blanks 2 co'mposed of iibers interconnected,mattedor felted together to form a mass with the iibers at the centerzone more numerous and `more densely compacted than 'those at the edgesand having a substantiaily hat bottom surface I and a rolmded or' convextop` surface 2C, as more fully described hereinafter.

trapped air and are, therefore, somewhat expanded or puffed.' They aredeposited by the machine I on a conveyor belt I andpassed thereby'between presser rolls l and l by which the entrapped air is removed andthe blank is com- -pressed orcompacted. 'I'he presser roll I may be'miese blanks are lled with enfibers from adhering to the soft rubbersurface of the roll 5. The belt 6 may be made of any suitable beltingmaterial having a surface sufficiently hard for this purpose and yetflexible enough to vpermit the belt to conform to the contour of theupper surface of the blank.

The blank may now be handled or may be used for making shoulder padstherefrom. It. may also have a facing of suitable fabric, such asmuslin, applied thereto and secured, as by crossstitching.

If a baked skin coating is required, the blank 2, after being compressedby the rolls/4 and 5, is transferred from the conveyor belt 3 onto aconveyor belt 8 in such manner that the blank is inverted on theconveyor belt 8, thereby exposing the iiat surface 9 of the blank to aspray I0 which is derived from a suitable spraygunl II, such as a Norrispainting machine. Though an appropriate transfer mechanism may be usedin the embodiment shown, the blank 2 is dropped from the end `oi theconveyor belt .3 and falls onto the conveyor belt 8 in an invertedposition. The spray I0 may comprise any suitable liquidcoating'material, such as starch, a gummy ina-u terial or other bindingmaterial which has the characteristics of quickly hardening or becomingset under the influence of heat and pressure. The liquid may be appliedhot, if desired.' ,This coating provides a flexible protecting skin orfacing forv the blank which prevents derangement of the fibers andfacilitates the handling a heated drier I3, comprising a drum Il having,

00.. may be made therein as will occur to a person for example,aplurality of electrical heating units I5 disposed therein. The conveyorbelt I2'is so' disposedv about suitable idler rolls I6 that the coatedsurface 9 of the blahk'2 is held against the heated drum I4 andtheconveyor belt I2 -holds the blank under suitablefpressure to iinpartthe desired characteristics to the protecting skin or facing. The blankslaredischarged from the `drier I3 and are fed by the -eonveyor belt I8onto a suitable conveyor or feed I3 by which they are taken toa placewhere they are severed to form a pair of shoulder pads. It is, ofcourse, obvious that the process hasn been described in a more or lessdiagrammatic fashion and that various mechanical changes skilled in theart.

A modified process illustrating a furtherembodiment of the nventionisshown in Figure 2. In this process theblanks 2 are made by the machine Iand deposited on the conveyor belt 3 in lthe manner set forth `inconnection with Figure Vl. After being passed between presser rolls land 5, the blanks 2 are fed onto a conveyor 25 which may comprise anopen mesh wire belt. This belt feeds the'blanks 2 under a spray Il whichis derived from a suitable spray gun II similar to that described aboveand by which the top or rounded surface 26 'of the blanks may be coated.I'he other surface 3 may be coated either by a second spray gun 21.positioned below the open mesh wire belt 25, to direct a spray 23upwardly therethrough or the' blanksmay be inverted and fed under athird spray gun 3I y which directs a spray 32 onto the fiat surface 3.In the embodiment shown, the conveyor 2l is passed around a pair ofidler pulleys 23 in such manner that the-blank is transferred to asecthe belt 25 lin such manner that the blanks are again inverted andareA deposited on the belt' 33with the at side 3 in contact with thebelt. A sump 3l is disposed under the belt 25' and the various sprayguns Il, 21 and 3I so as..to receive any excess coating material whichpassesthrough or drips from the belt or from the blank. The blanks 2 arefed by the conveyor 33 to a baking machine 35, the details ofconstruction of which will be hereinafter more fully described inconnection with Figures 13 andl4. j

The operation of the process of Figure 2 is similar to the process ofFigure l with the exception that the blank 2 is coated on both sideswith the protecting skin or facing. It is obvious that the process isnot limited to vthe/'use 0f any particular type of Amechanism atthevarious stages thereof. process may be arranged in other sequences.For example, the coating may be entirely omitted in some instances orthe blank maybe severed to form the two shoulder pads before thecoatings 4are applied. The process is sufficiently flexible f matted orfelted together to produce a .mass with` the fibers at the center zonemore rrumerous .and more densely compacted than at rthe edges, thebottom surface being faced with a suitable fabric 35|), such as muslin.The blanks 2' are deposited so' Furthermore, thevarious Steps of the bythe machine I on a conveyor 3 `withthe surface 35| exposed and-conductedto a spray I8' which is derived from a suitable spray gun II' to`provide the surface 35i of theblank 2'v with a thin flexible protectingskin or surface 352 ,k as in the case of the previously describedembodiment.

`If desired, a sump I not shown) may be provided` at an appropriateplace beneath the gun II' to receive any excess spray material. l Thespray and size for the fibers may comprise any suitable composition,such as a starch solution, a casein solution, a gum solution, a sodiumsilicate vsolutionor other sizing or` coating cornpositions which havethe characteristics of quickly hardening'or becoming set under heat orpres-4 Sure'.

The blank .2' is'then fed by the conveyor 3' to a baking or formingmachine 35', the details of construction of which will be'hereafter morefully. described in connection with Figures 25,26 and The machiner I formaking the blanks is shown more in detail in Figures 3`to l2. Referringfirst to Figures 3 to 7, it will be noted that the machine is adapted toreceive a roll .'33 of cotton batting or similar loosely matted fibrousmaterial whichserves as the source of fibers' for making the blanks. Theroll 38 is held in a trough 33 and assuma rests upon a conveyor apron 4lby which the batis adapted to be raised orflowered with -respect ting isconveyedwo a pair of feed rolls 4i and 42. 'Ihese feed rolls 4| and 42feed the batting against the face of a picker roll 4I which is rotatingat high speed and which pulls apart or picks the individual bersfrom'the batting and deposits them in a hopper 44.

The hopper 44 connects with a pair of chutes 45, each terminating in athroat which feeds the individual iibers through an opening 41 in aturret 4Q onto a form 48 held in a rotating frame l0. Beneath eachopening 41 is disposed a tube i which, in conjunction with the lowerpart of the frame 5l, provides a Venturi-shapedV opening 52 throughwhich passes the air which is used for conveying and depositing nbers onthe form 4I f The opening l! is so shaped that a greater suction orpressure and a higher air velocity (heret inafter and in the claimsdefined as increasing the air veiocity") are obtained at the center ofthe form 4S than at the edges thereof, the construction of the openingl2 below the form 4! shown). 'I'he suction blower 55 may be providedwith a discharge duct Il which leads to the atmosphere or to a recoveryapparatus, as may be required.`

In the embodiment shown, a pair of chutes are provided which cooperaterespectively with a pair of turrets 48. It vis evident, however, thatany number of such chutes and turrets may be incorporated in a singlemachine or that-the machine may have only one suchchute and turret.

' Each turret 48 isprovided with a plurality of openings 41 adapted toreceive the frames l0 In the embodiment shown in Figure 7. three'suchopenings are formed in each turret. The turrets,

however, may have other numbers oi' openings, such as two or four, ifdesired. 'I'hey turrets are driven step-by-step so that a frame M isheld under the chute 4l a suiiicient length of time to receive thenecessary fibers for making the blank. Thereafter. the turret is steppedaround to a posi-- `tion which brings the frame Il with the blanktherein under a suction cup il andbrings a second frame Il underthe'chute 4I for receiving i the fibers to make a second blank. Asuction cupA` III cooperates with each turret 4I, Each suction cup isadapted to lift-the blank from the form 4l and to deposit the same ontothe conveyor belt 3 'which feeds the same for further treatment inaccordance with the process describedin Figure l control the amount ofair which is drawn in. A

thereto so as to bring its discharge lopening Il in proper position withrespect to the form 4I for depositing the iibers thereon in the requiredmanner. V

The throat may thus be raised or lowered in accordance with the size ofthe form 4l, a higher y throat permitting the discharged fibers tospread over a greater area and vice versa. The throat is preferably madewith an area less than that of the form so as to concentrate the fibersat the center of the form. The vertical adjustmentof the throat. inlcooperation with the Venturishaped epemng u, thus controls thedistribution g the form as the distance from the throat to the form isdecreased. r

The lower part of each chute 45 may be closed by a casing 1l having aclosure 1i slidably mounted at the lower part thereof and adapted toengage a cover plate 12 which lies closely above thel turret 4l an'd hasan opening 13 registering with the particular opening 41 of the turretwhich is in uber-receiving position. The closure 1i. however, isladapted to be telescoped over the casing 1I so as to aiIord access tothe throat 4I of the chute, whereby the throat may be in anuallyadjusted for the purpose specified. The casing 1l and closure 1i preventdrafts from interfering with the deposition of iibers on the form 4I andalso provide a tight seal which assits in maintaining the proper `flowof air through the chute 4l. 1 A

The form 4I may have an open mesh bottom 1I (Figure 5) and aside-shaping ring 1t which is secured thereto and has an opening 11therein of a shape corresponding to that of the desired blank. Theshaping-ring 1l is provided with a pair of bosses 1I'which form recesses1I (Fig- -ure 18) in the blank. "Ibese recesses serve as guides forcutting theblanks to make the two shoulder pads therefrom. The bosses"may be omitted if such recesses are not desired in' any particularinstance 1or may be varied in size and shape to provide any desiredcontour.

Two types of forms are'shown in Figures 5 and ure 6 is diamond-shaped.In Figure 6 only one boss 1I is provided and the blank is severed on aline passing through the recess 1I. thus formed, and the opposite pointof the blank.

These particular forms are representative only. -It/ isobvious' that theform may be made inany shape which is best adapted to suit therequinments of theV diil'erent clothing manufacturers or tailors. Themachine is thus adapted to supply various sizes andshapes of blanks asmay be required in the trade.`

In the operation of Ithe portion of the machine thus far described. the.fibers which are separated or liberated from the roll of batting SI arepicked up by the air current which is drawn throughthehopper 44 by thesuction blower il. and are deposited on the open mesh bottom 1l of theform 4I. The Venturi-shaped opening Il is adapted to cooperate with thethroat of the chute 4l in the manner described above to provide astrongerfair current at the center `oi' the form 4l thanat the peripherythereof. Due to the increased pressure or suction at the central zoneabove-mentioned, not only will a greater amount of ibers be deposited atsaid zone, but

- being delivered so that the fibers are more evenly distributed and arecaused to be uniformly laid and intimately interconnected, matted orfelted together throughout the thickness of the blank as itis built up.The fibers are thus laid in a grainless, non-stratifying,interconnecting massof variable density and thickness and having nocontinuity or grain in any particular direction. Obviously, thethickness of the builtup blank will depend on the brous materialdelivered upon the form 49 and thus may be regulated to suit differentrequirements by changing the rate of feed of the cotton batting, thespeed of rotation of the picker roll, the suction or pres sure createdby the suction blower 55, rthe conpractically no tensile strength andmust Referring now to Figures 3, 4, '7, 10 and l2, it

will be noted that 'the conveyor ,apron 40 is mounted upon a drivingroll8'4 and an idler-roll 35. The conveyor apron may be formed with aplurality of transverse slatsa 66 which extend across the face oftheapron and provide the necessary support for the cotton batting. Thisapron is used inasmuch asthe cotton bat ing has sup-i ported and fedthroughout its entire width. They roll 38 rests on the apron 40 and thetrough 39 and unrolls as the batting is fed by`the apron 40.

The driving mechanism for the apron 40 and for the feed rolls 4| and. 42comprises a motor 31 having a sprocket 86 connected by a chain 89 to adriving' sprocket 90 which is mounted upon l a main drive shaft 9|. Themain drive shaft 9| extends across the machine and is provided at theend opposite the sprocket 90 with a worm gear 32 engaging a worm wheel93 which `is loosely iournaled on a vertical driveshaft 94. -Thevertical drive shaft' 94 is supported by a suitable thrust bearing 95(Figure 4) and has associated causing longitudinal movement of thecollar with respect to the vertical drive shaft 94, the 'arrangementbeing such that, when the clutch membersy 96 and 91 are engaged, poweris trans- -l mitted from .-the Worm wheel 93 to the vertical drive shaft94 and, -,when said clutch members are disengaged,the wormwhee193 isfree to rotate about saidshaft 94 which thereupon remains stationary. Y

The vertical drive shaft 94 carries at its upper end a bevel gear |36engaging a bevel gear |01 carried by a Vdrive shaft. |-03.` .The driveshaft |33 "extends across the machine and carries at its ropposite end apinion |09 meshing with a spur shaft extends across the machine and car-I ries a gear ||2 meshing with an idler gear ||3 which in turn mesheswith a gear ||4 mounted on a shaft ||'5 carrying the driving roll .84for the apron 40.

fThe drive shaft |06 also carries a pinion ||3 meshing witha gear ||9carried upon a shaft |20 on which the lower feed roll' 4| is mounted.The upper feed roll 42 is mounted on a shaft |2| having a gear |22whichmeshesjwith the spur gear ||0 above-mentioned, the spur gear ||0vinr this instance operating as an idler to transmit power from thepinion |09 to the gear |22. It is to be understood that the variousshafts and gears above mentioned are mountedl in suitablebearings'whlchfare supported, for example, on an inclined bracket |23carried by a` frame |24 of the machine.

The 7picker roll 43 vhigh rate ofspeed. Consequently, it is driven by abelt |25 engaging a pulley |26 carried on a shaft |21 on which thepicker roll' 43 is mounted, said belt |25 being driven by any suitableVsource of power (not shown). I

Each -turret is formed with three plates |30, |3| and |32secured-together by tie rods |23 and must rotate at an extremely mountedupon'a shaft |33 which is journaled in .1

a bearing |34 and is intermittently driven by suitable mechanism to bedescribed.- The plate carries the three openings 41 above described.Three frames 50 are mounted in corresponding. apertures v|35 in theplate |3| and are seated on sets of flanged rollers |36 which' provideboth a support and a bearing for the frames. It is. to be ried bytheplate |32, in which case thefframes 50 may rotate about 4the ends ofsaid tubes. The openings 41 in the gplate |30 are of such dimension thatthe form 49 can be lifted therethrough for purposes of renewal orreplacement.

It vis to be understoodl 'that the specific con-- struction of theturrets and the supporting means for the rotating frames may be varied,and also that any desired number of frames may be held inl each turret.A specific construction hasbeen set forth only by way of illustration.-

A belt channel |31 is formed on theouter surface of each-frame 60, and,when the frame is in fiber-receiving position, engages a bel-t (Figure'1) by which-the frame is rotated. 'Ihe ben-g m is carried on aA drivingpul idle; pulleys |42 m such position that the ben chaimels |31 in theframes 50am caused to bear -against and engage the belt |40' when therespective frames' are brought into or are in iber-y receiving position,The driving pulley |4| is mounted upona shaft |43 carrying a bevel gear|44 .engaging a similar bevel gear |46 mounted upon the main drive shaft9| (Figures 3, 'l and 10). Certain of the idler pulleys .|42 may lbeslidably mounted on a frame |46 so that the tennon of the belt m may beadjusted as desired.'

'Th'e=belt |40 extends 'overa substantial. chord `of the turrets 43 ,soas' to engage the channel |31 ofthe frame 50 asV long as any portion ofthel lframe is in fiber-receiving position, that is,v while the frame isbeing moved to and from the fiberreceiving position. This preventsdepositionv of any fibers whilev the frame isl stationary and en fibersovethe with a gear |55 mounted upon a shaft |55 on a l change speedmechanism |51. The second shaft |55 of said mechanism carries a pinion|55 driving a gear |50 mounted on a shaft |5l.

The change speed mechanism |51 may be of 1 any standard construction andin the embodiment shown comprises a pair of opposed 'cones |52 slidablymounted upon the shaft |55 and a similar pair of cones mounted upon theshaft |55. The cones |52 and |55 engage a' V-belt |54,

the effective diameter of the cones depending upon their relativeposition with respect to said belt. The cones |52 and |55 are adjustedin apposite directions by levers Y |55 connected to a threaded shaft |55which is actuatediby a hand wheel |51, the arrangement being such thatone pair of cones, for example the cones |52, is brought closertogether, while the opposite pair of cones |55 is spread apart, therebychanging .the effective diameters of the two cones and,con sequently,the `driving ratio between the shafts |55 and |55. 'I'he change speedmechanism above described is. of standard construction and hasaccordingly not been set forth in detail.

An indicator |55 may be actuated from the threaded shaft |55 to indicatethe condition ,of adjustment of the change speed mechanism |51. Theshaft |5| carries an arm |15 having a lug |1| formed thereon vwhich isadapted t intermittently release `a one-revolution clutch. to be`described, which establishes a driving connection between a turret driveshaft |12 and a gearv |15 which is loosely mounted on said shaft andengages a. pinion |14 mounted on the drive shaft |50 above mentioned.'I'he turretdrive shaft |12 carries beveled gears |15 meshing withbeveled gears |15 carried upon the turret shafts |55.

The one-revolution clutch by which the intermittent drive of each turretshaft |55 is obtained comprises a flanged disk |11 having a flange |15which is mounted on and secured to the gear |15 and loosely rotates withsaid gear on the shaft |12. A second disk |55 is fixed to the shaft |12and is provided with a hub |15 having a notch |50 (Figure 1l) in whichthe tapered end |5| of a feed dog |52 rests. The feed. dog |52 isprovided with a groove |55 through which the flange |15of thefiangeddisk |11 passes. The groove |55 is formed at an angle to the transverseaxis of the feed dog |52 so that, when the feed dog is pressed in onedirectionby means of a spring |54 seated between said dog and a lug |55formed on the disk |59, the groove |55 securely grips the flange |15.and establishes'a driving connection between the flanged disk |11 andtheshaft |12. thereby completingthe driving connection from the driveshaft |55, through the gear |15 an'd rets. When .the feed dog |52 ispivotedabout its i tapered end |5| in a direction to compress theVspring |54, the feed dog releases the flanged disk -l11 and permits theflange |.15 to freely vrotate within the groove |55. I y

For thus operating the feed dog, a stop member is provided, having anarm |5| normally held by a spring |92 in such position that the stop |90is in alignment with the feed dog |52. The stop |90 is mounted upon ashaft |55 which assuma `carries an arm |54 adapted to be engaged by thelug |1| formed'on the arm |10 above-mentioned. The arrangement is suchthat, when the lug |1| engages the arm |94, the stop |55 is rocked to a'position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 11, which is out ofalignment with the feed dog |52. 'I'he feed dog is thereupon released bythe stop member |90 and-is caused by the action of the spring |54 togrip the flange |15 for the purpose above-mentioned.

It will be noted'that because of the eccentric arrangement of the shafts|5| and |55, the lug |1| engages the arm |94 to lift the same, butslides past the end of said arm after the same' hasl been lifted thedesired amount, thereby permitting the arm |10 to continue its rotation.The stop |90 is moved into release position a sumcient length of time topermit the feed dog to pass the same. It is then immediately returned,due to the lug |1| sliding past the end of the arm |94, and again takesa position to engage the feed dog |52 after the feed dog and associatedclutch mechanism have made one revolution. It is evident, therefore,that on each actuation of the release mechanism, the shaft |12 is causedto make one revolution. lThe gear ratio is such that one revolution ofthe shaft |12 serves to feed the turret 45 a distance adapted to removeo neI frame 55 from fiber-receiving position into position beneath thesuction cup 50 and to 'feed a second frame into fiber-receivim position.In the embodiment shown, this constitutes a turret revolution of It isobvious, howbever, that the number of frames 50 carried by the turretlmay be varied and that the amount of turret movement will becorrespondingly changed.

Eachsuction cap 50 is connected by a hollow arm 255 to a sleeve 20|journaled on a tube 252 leading to a duct 205 l(Figures 7, 8 and 9)which communicates through a valve 204 with an exhaust duct 255 leadingto a separate suction blower (not shown) or connecting if desired to ythe suction blower 55. The valve 254 constitutes a cylindrical housing205 having a`cyl|ndrical valve member 201 therein which is rotatablyYmounted on the shaft |5|, the operation of whichl has been'describedabove. ,The cylindrical valve member j201 is provided with an opening2554 which is adapted to establish communication between the duct 205and the exhaust duct 255 during a part of the revolution of the shaft|5| and interrupt the connection between said ducts during the remainderof each revolution of said shaft. whereby suction is intermittentlyapplied to. the suction cups 55 for the purpose to be set forth.

The suction cups 55 are oscillated by mechanism including intermeshinggear wheels 2|5 which ar' connected Ito the respective sleeves 25|....One of the gear wheels 2|5 carries a beveled pinion 2|| meshing withar pinion 2|2 mounted upona shaft 2|5 carrying an arm 2|4. .The arm 2|4is connected by a link 2|5 to a lever 2|5 having a roller 2|1 bearingupon a cam 2|5 mounted upon the shaft '|5I. The arrangement 'is suchthatv on each revolution of lthe shaft |5| the cam 2|5 causes the' lever2|5 to oscillate, thereby imparting oscillatory 'movement to the lever,2I4, and through the pinions 2|'| and 2|2,

causing rotation of the gear wheels 2|5 which causes the suction cups 55to swing from their position over the frames 55, as illustrated in -iulllines in Figure 7, to a' discharge position over the conveyor belt 5, asindicated in dotted lines in vspect to the said gure. The valve 284 isso timed with reosr'iatory movement of the suction cups 80 that su swungto discharge position over thebelt 3.

Each suction cup 80 is provided with a porous baiile 22|) and is alsoprovided with a flange 22| .which is adapted to make close contact withthe plate 12 so as to prevent leakage of air and to insure a suflicientamount of suction to lift the blank 2 from the form 48, as indicated inFigure 8. The blank 2 is then held against the porous baille while thesuction cup is swung into its discharge position over the conveyor Ibelt3. The

vsuction is then broken by the valve 204 and permits the blank 2 to fallout of the suction cup 88 onto the conveyor belt 3.

It will .be noted that the shaft |6| operates the release mechanism forcausing intermittent rotation of the turrets 48. The operation of thesuction. c-ups is thus synchronized so that the suction cups are broughtover the frame 58 and pick up the blank therefrom while the turret 48 isstationary and while the second frame 50 is in ber-receiving position.The suction c'ups may be swung into discharge position while the turret48 is stationary or while it is being stepped into its next position. Y

It will be noted that when three frames 50 are mounted in each turretasindicated in Figure '7, one of the frames is always in an exposedposition. This provides an opportunity for renewing or replacing theexposed form 49 without-,interrupting the operation of the machine.

In the preferred construction as shown, the

'air current for depositing the fibers is created by suction at a' pointbeyond the forms. 'As an alternative construction, the air current maybe produced, by positive pressure created by a blower ahead of theforms, in which case the fibers are blown onto the form, the throats 48being so designed as to produce the required distribution of fibers overthe forms.

As a further modification, the forms can be held stationary intheturrets yand a rotary mo'- tion imparted to the stream of fibersapplied thereto.

The machine above-described operates to make the shoulder pad blanksrapidly and accurately. The blanks are suiiiciently compacted topermithandling and are readily cut to form the two shoulder pads. The blanksmaybe compressed and coated on one or both surfaces with a sui-tablefacing material which may comprise a fabric ora liquid coating andbinding material as above--l described; In some instances, one surfaceof the blank may have a fabric facing material and heat and pressure.fora suilicient time to set or harden the coating material.

Referring now to the heating and baking ina-4 chine indicated in generalat 35 in Figure 2 and "f-rame members 228 and 238 respectively. Aplushown in detail in Figures 13 and,14, it will be noted that ,thismachine comprises-a rotating spider.225 mounted upon' a shaft -228journaled in .bearings 221 and 228, whichare supported by rality -ofboxes 23| carrying lower mold members 232, to be described, are securedto the spider 225, as by bolts 233, and are further supported by rods234'extending between the bottom of each box 23| and a boss 235secured-to the shaft 228l adjacent the bearing 221. Movable boxes 248carrying upper mold members 24|, yto be described, are

on is broken when the cups are `cutting operation.

secured to arms 242,'pivoted by pins 213,3.tgojtheff spider 225in suchmanner that the arms' 242'jar e adapted to rock to permit the boxes 248tojfbe,

elevated'away from'the box 23| as indicated'atj the left of Figure 13.Each box 240 carries a bracket 244 provided with upper and lower rollers245, 248, respectively, engaging a track 241 which i-s formed on a trackmember 248 carried by a stationary spider 248 mounted upon the frame23|) inany convenient manner. The track 241 is mold.

The shaft 228 is driven from a motor 252 having a shaft 253carrying apinion 254 and driving a gear 255 through an idler 258. The' gear 255258, driving a gear 258 which is mounted upon a shaft 280 carrying abeveled gear 28| which meshesv with a similar beveled gear 282 carriedby the shaft 228.

Each of the lower mold members 232 i-s provided with a heating coil 288which is connected by wires 281 to brushes 288 engaging slip rings -288mounted by means of an insulating member 210 on a sleeve 21| which issecured to the bearing 228. Electrical connections are made to the sliprings 288 .by terminals 212 connected by conducting strips 213 and 214to the respective slip rings. The box`23| may be provided with suitableheat insulation 215 to conserve the heat and ert the required pressureon the blank withinsaid is-mounted upon a shaft 251 carrying a pinionprevent the exteriorlsurface from becoming unduly hot.

-Each'upper Amold member 24| is providedwith a heating coil 218connected by leads 219 to the brushes 288, the connections being omittedfrom the drawings in order to' clarify the showing.

Each box 240 may be lined with heat-insulating material 280 for-the samepurpose as the heat- ,insulating material 215 above-mentioned.

j It will be-.noted that the upper mold member`- 24| .and the lower.mold member 232 together form a mold cavity in which the blank 2, whichhasl been coated on oneor both sides by the coating material, is heldunder the iniiuence of heat and pressure. The apparatus is so timed thatheat and pressure are applied a length of vtime sumcient to bake thecoating and to form the desired flexible protecting skin or facirig onthe blank.

when the mank is removed from' the baking machine above-described, it isin iinished condition and is in the form illustrated in -Figure 18.

This blank, however, is adaptedl` to form two shoulder pads.Consequently, it is then cut or severedtransversely along the line 282,passing through the' recesses 18 to form two pads, one of which is shownin` full lines at 283. .It is obvious that the cut along the line 282may be varied somewhat and may be made-at an angle if de-4 desired, theentire purpose being to'provide the necessary contour forthe nished' pad283. The recesses 18 provide a convenient guidef-for the n wulbe notedthat his ma is thicker and box m.

form the pad as shown in Figure 19. One advan.

tage of preforming the pad in this manner re sides in preventing the padfrom wrinkling or gathering at its lower surface which may occur if thepad is 'made flat, as shown in Figure 18, and is subsequently bent tothe curved section required for use in a garment.

This preformed pad may be readily made in the above-described bakingmachine by using the modified mold illustrated in Figures to 17. In thismold the boxes 299 and 299 correspond to the boxes 23| and 240 describedabove and are adapted to be secured in the baking machine in the samemanner. In this embodiment, the lower mold member 2 90, which is mountedin the box 299, is formed with a central depressed portion 29| which isof a shape adapted to .form the upper rounded surface of the finishedpad. The portion 29| is in the general form of an ellipsoid ofrevolution, the exact shape being varied to suit the. requirements. Aheating'coil 292 is provided for applying heat to the lower mold member299 and a lining 293 of suitable heat insulation is provided in the box293.

The upper mold member 299 is mounted in the This mold member has acentral raised portion 291 which is adapted to enter the centraldepressed portion 29| of the lower mold member 290 and is shaped toconform to the inner surface of the preformed pad. 'A heating coil 299is associated with the upper mold member 299 and the box 299 is linedwith suitable heat-insulating material 299.

In the a'bove embodiment, the upper and lower mold members, 299 and 299,respectively, form a mold cavity therebetween which is adapted t0compress and form the blank during the baking operation. When the pad isremoved from this mold cavity, it may be severed along a transverse line399 so as to divide the blank into two halves, each constituting afinished shoulder pad.

It will be noted that the pads'made in this manner are preformed and arepermanently held in the position in which they are to be used.Consequently, all hand-forming operations are eliminated and it is onlynecessary for the tailor to attach the pads to the garment. Itisevident,

therefore, that with the above-described process and mechanism4 the padsmay be quickly and cheaply made with any desired vfinished contour.Furthermore, the mold may be readily changed so as to provide thenecessary assortmentV of pads, such as, for example, pads havingdifferent shapes or sizes or the like, and the texture of the pad maylikewise be varied by changing the raw material or the contour of theform or the condition under which the fibers are fed to the form. l

Whilevit has heretofore been customary to apply a fabric facing to atleastv one side o'f the blanks, it has been found that blanks made inaccordance with the present invention do not usually require this facinginasmuch as they are sufficiently protected by. the flexible protectingskin produced. by spraying and baking the liquid coating materialthereon.

As above explained, another embodiment of the travel and adhering to thenozzle.

. Shape.

invention contemplates forming the blanks of fibers which have beenthinly coated or sized with any suitable composition, such as starchsolution. a casein solution, a gum solution. a'sodium silicate solution,or any other suitable sizing or coating composition. In accordance withthis embodiment, the nbers are coated with the selected l compositionduring the production-ofthe blank.

Preferably, the fibers, after leaving the throat of the chute and priorto or simultaneously with the collection thereof upon the form, aresprayed with the selected composition. To secure these results theapparatus illustrated in Figure 4 hereof is provided with a spray gun orother suitable spraying mechanism as hereafter more fully de scribed. V

Referring now to Figure 2l, wherein is illustrated an 'apparatus forproducingthe blanks of sized fibers, the reference numeral 393designates a spray gun or spray mechanism of any suitable construction.The spray mechanism 353 is adjustabiy mountedfin any well-known mannerso that a spray 359 may be applied to the fibers while they are insuspension or on the form or both. Due to the fact that the fibers arein suspension, means are provided to prevent the bers from deviatingfrom their normal course of travel and adhering to or clogging the spraynozzle 355. In'the form illustrated in Figure 21, this is secured byintroducing air in the casing 19 'and causing it to surround the nozzle355 and travel in a direction substantially the same as the spray 359.Specifically, the spray mechanism 393 is disposed in a hollow open-endedcylindrical member 359 mounted in the casing 19. The member 359 is openat both the top and bottom thereof and permits air to be suckedtherethrough during the operation of the apparatus, with the result thatthe air thus sucked in` will prevent.

the fibers from changing their normal course of It is to be noted thatthe bottom end of the member 399 terminates adjacent the nozzle 355.Thus, theair passing through said member 359 will produce the desiredeffects. The member 359 is also adjustably mountedy so that it may beraised or lowered dependingv on the position of the nozzle 355.

When the fibers are sized as previously mentioned, it is possible toproduce a concave blank, that is, a blank in substantially the finishedTo secure this, an appropriately-shaped form should be used; One suchform Il' is shown `positioned in place in the apparatus illustrated inFigure 21, and details thereof are shown in Figures 22 and 23. The form99 comprises a foraminous member 351, formed into the desired concaveshape, and isclamped between a side shaping ring 359 and a bottom member359, the latter two elements being secured together by means of screws390. The shaping ring 359 is of a shape corresponding to the peripheralshape of the desired blank. It may be provided vwith a boss 39| whichforms a recess in the blank and indicates where the blank is to be cutto for'm the final pad. 'I'he shaping ring is also provided with one ormore recesses 392 which are adapted to cooperate with lugs 393 on 'therotating frame 99, so that theform it will'cooperate with the tube 5|-to provide a Venturi-shaped opening 5.2 through which passes

